- What is evaluated?
PTSD checklist for DSM-5 is comprised of 20 items that provides detailed report based on self-analysis that includes assessment with reference to severity of symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. The tool provides provision for diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, able to carry out individual screening procedures and symptoms can be monitored before and after the treatment process (Blevins et.al,2015).
- Intended population (include age ranges)
DSM-5 is comprised of two sets for criteria of diagnosis. One set is applicable for adults and children aged above 6 years. Other set is applicable for children aged below 6 years.
- Time to Administer:
Administration of DSM-5 takes place from 5 to 10 minutes. The process of administering can be self-managed by patient or through telephone.
- Scoring specifics (Norm.-referenced / Criterion-referenced)
A 5 point Likert scale is considered and it is mentioned below.
0 = Not at all 1 = A little bit 2 = Moderately 3 = Quite a bit 4 = Extremely The severity score associated with symptoms will range from 0 to 80 which can be obtained through adding scores of all 20 items. Severity scores related to cluster can be obtained by adding scores of all items from a cluster provided. Research studies indicate score obtained between 31 to 33 is considered as indication of PTSD (Bovin et.al,2015).
- Materials needed:
Paper and pencil ,BHL (Behavioral Health Laboratory) Software , Tablet or other electronic device (e.g., PTSD coach app)
- Cost of the Assessment Tool:
The instrument used for assessment is available at no cost.
- Where to purchase the Tool:
It can be obtained from the following link mentioned below which is mentioned in website named National center for PTSD http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/adult-sr/ptsd-checklist.asp\
- Training needed prior to administering tool:
The instrument is designed which is required to be administered by a well trained mental health professional and prior to its use training is highly recommended.
- Environmental considerations:
There are no specific environmental considerations associated with this tool and it can be used effectively for assessment of people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in all areas.
- Standardized? How do you know?
PCL5 is considered as alternative source and considered as provisional standard for diagnosis of PTSD among people but however clinical interview procedure that is structured is considered as Gold standard approach for diagnosis of PTSD. The following information can be retrieved from the website mentioned below.
- Objective?
The objective is to assess, monitor and quantification of symptoms and individual screening for diagnosis of PTSD. Provisional diagnosis is assisted for people with PTSD.
- Sensitivity?
The tool is sensitive to change over time in undergraduate students and military service members
- Reliability (inter-rater, test-retest, other)
Intern rater reliability is very high for PTSD and test- retest is high
- Validity (construct, concurrent, predictive, content)
It is valid in predicting the severity of symptom associated with PTSD. The results provides convergent constructs which are considered as highly correlated.
References:
Blevins, C. A., Weathers, F. W., Davis, M. T., Witte, T. K., & Domino, J. L. (2015). The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and initial psychometric evaluation. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28, 489-498. doi:10.1002/jts.22059
Bovin, M. J., Marx, B. P., Weathers, F. W., Gallagher, M. W., Rodriguez, P., Schnurr, P. P., & Keane, T. M. (2015). Psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (PCL-5) in Veterans. Psychological Assessment, 28, 1379-1391. doi:10.1037/pas0000254
